Ward 2 residents offer insight into future of Twin Forks community

Ward 2 and Twin Forks residents met Tuesday night at the Hattiesburg Train Depot to discuss with neighborhood planners what they want to see improve about their communities.

The meeting was in conjunction with the Twin Forks Rising plan being developed to revitalize the beleaguered area in East Hattiesburg. Neighborhood planners with Thompson Engineering and Billes Partners have been working with a group of 17 members from throughout Ward 2 to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the neighborhood.

Deborah Delgado, Ward 2 councilwoman, said the feedback and input from area residents offered at the meeting will help neighborhood planners draft a project that fits the community and its needs.

"Many things citizens brought up were issues the working group identified, so we're glad to see that there is a consensus on what needs should be addressed," Delgado said.

Billes Partners, a New Orleans-based architecture and planning firm, has worked to redeveloped neighborhoods in the Crescent City much like Twin Forks, which is low-income and lies in a flood plain. Delgado said bringing aboard a firm with experience working in neighborhoods like Twin Forks is very positive for the outlook of the project.

"This community has been at a standstill because of this notion of not being able to build in the flood plain. We can, but we have to build and develop smartly," she said.

"Billes Partners is accustomed to developing plans and doing project in areas like Twin Forks. We are delighted to have that level of expertise on board the project."

With input from the community, planners will now move closer to completing Phase II of the Twin Forks project. When Phase II is complete it begins the heavy lifting of finding investors and funding to bring the plans into reality. Delgado said the city council is working to develop incentive packages to attract investors to the area.

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Ward 2 residents offer insight into future of Twin Forks community

Ward 2 and Twin Forks residents met Tuesday night at the Hattiesburg Train Depot to discuss with neighborhood planners what they want to see improve about their communities.The meeting was in